Among the birth and bud
Of each new smile
That said without a word
'I have lost once or twice'

Knowledge of decline
But only
In the sense of sunsets
Dipping full blush
Like girlish eyes
Again to rise
Again to rise

?

Step by palsied step
The days deliver us new bread
Kneaded by hands
Aged by a billion life-times
To age a billion more

?

There was something
Among the birth and bud
Of each new smile
That said without a word
'I have lost once or twice'